Agency: Report clears chief in Black Forest fire

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The fire department that first responded to a deadly wildfire in the Black Forest community says an outside investigation has cleared its chief of misconduct.

Black Forest Fire/Rescue District on Wednesday released a summary of a report it commissioned.

The fire started in June northeast of Colorado Springs, killing two people and destroying 486 houses. El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa has criticized Black Forest Fire/Rescue Chief Bob Harvey’s handling of the blaze.

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports (http://tinyurl.com/mep3swg ) the fire department says the report found no professional misconduct by Harvey.

Maketa released a statement saying the report is based on opinion, not fact.

The dispute between Maketa and Harvey started after Harvey said the fire was probably intentionally set. Maketa has said there was no evidence of that.